Political prisoner miscarries in detention

Jan 22, 2009 (DVB), Political prisoner Kathy Aung, who was sentenced to 26 years' imprisonment in November last year, has suffered a miscarriage in New Mandalay prison, according to her mother Thidar Aung.

Thidar Aung, who visited her daughter yesterday, blamed the poor living conditions in prison for the miscarriage and said her daughter had also begun to suffer from heart problems.

"She was visited by doctors a day earlier as she has been in poor health due to malnutrition and she also hasn't been able to take the medicine she needs for her pregnancy lately," said Thidar Aung.

Kathy Aung was arrested in September 2008 and was charged under the Immigration Act. Her husband Tun Tun is currently on the run from the authorities.

Thidar Aung was refused permission to visit her daughter in prison last week.

Pu Cint Sian Than, leader of the Zomi National Congress, said his son Kyaw Soe (also known as Kamlam Koup) had also been denied family visits and parcels of food and other necessities from the family have been refused.